Single area licensing rules
The MMO is harmonising rules in relation to beam trawling for sole in 7e, which currently only apply to UK beam trawlers.
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The MMO is harmonising rules in relation to beam trawling for sole in 7e, which currently only apply to UK beam trawlers. This is known as Single Area Licencing. The new rules will apply to all nationalities of beam trawlers operating in the relevant area of 7e.
Beam trawlers that fish in the relevant area (UK waters of 7e east of 5 West. See chart) must not fish outside ICES area 7e on the same trip and must depart from and return to a UK port. Alternatively, vessels will be able to fish outside ICES area 7e on the same trip provided they contact the UKFMC before commencing fishing in the relevant area and prior to exit and on request make the vessel available at a checkpoint. Notifications must be made to the UK FMC no less than 4 hours, and no greater than 8 hours prior to entering/leaving the relevant area.
UKFMC Contact details are: +44 0131 244 2286 and UKFMC@gov.scot . The information provided will be circulated to the MMO FMC Operations team who will determine any inspection requirements.
The UK FMC will inform the vessel to continue with their intended operations unless directly contacted by the MMO FMC Operations team for an inspection.
If, at the point the vessel enters the relevant area and the quantity of sole retained on board is different to the quantity reported in the original notification, then an additional notification must immediately, and before commencing fishing operations (in the relevant area), be sent to the UKFMC detailing the quantity of sole retained on board.
Where a vessel is not required by the MMO FMC to facilitate an inspection it may continue to any area outside ICES area 7e.
These conditions will apply from 04/10/2021 in British fishery limits, as defined within licence conditions and excluding waters of the crown dependencies.